AUBURN HILLS, Mich.  Having seen more than enough, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss left the premises Tuesday at the end of the third quarter.

Kobe Bryant may have played his last game as a Laker. He has said he will likely test the free agent waters this summer.

By Jeff Haynes, AFP

His team already was long gone.

And the case can be made it never even showed up.

So while the Palace exploded into bedlam, the Lakers slunk back to their locker room.

Although the Lakers had spent considerable time the previous day talking about how difficult this potential close-out game would be for the Detroit Pistons, the 100-87 loss Tuesday instead was more of the same — overwhelming defense by Detroit and the same disjointed offensive intentions by Los Angeles.

The Pistons led by 23 points after three quarters and by as many as 28 in the fourth.

While the Lakers are left to look to next season, their makeup likely will be considerably different.

Karl Malone, who watched the game in street clothes because of his bum knee, and Gary Payton — both of whom arrived this season hoping to gain a first championship — might not be around for a second attempt.

Kobe Bryant, for one, already has said he will test his value on the free agent market and faces his trial in Colorado.

There's also coach Phil Jackson, who doesn't have a contract for next season and all but made his farewell speech about 10 minutes after the game.

A record-breaking 10th NBA championship now seems unlikely.

A seemingly crushed Bryant, speaking sadly and ever-so-softly, made no promises he again will wear purple and gold.

"I don't know," he said. "We'll have to wait for summer to find out. Right now I can't answer that."

Shaquille O'Neal, held to 20 points and eight rebounds after his 36-and-20 effort in Game 4, indicated he expects an altered roster next season, though he has a year remaining on his contract.

And after that?

"I'm not sure," he said. "I'm going to do what's best for me."

And the Lakers as a whole?

"I'm not sure really where the organization wants to go from here," he said. "It's all business. Whatever happens, happens."

However, he indicated he hopes his days of playing alongside Bryant aren't finished.

"Kobe is a great player," O'Neal said. "Every great player needs a one-two punch, and obviously me and him are the one-two punch. But like I said earlier, it's going to be a funny summer."